Pulaski, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Southern, in partnership with the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, will host a special evening with Pastor Chris Edmonds, author, speaker, and son of World War II hero Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, whose courageous actions saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish soldiers during the Holocaust.
The event will take place February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Gault Auditorium and is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Pastor Edmonds is the CEO of Roddie’s Code and author of the award-winning book No Surrender: A Father, a Son, and an Extraordinary Act of Heroism That Continues to Live on Today. His presentation shares the remarkable true story of his father’s moral courage in a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp, where Sergeant Edmonds refused orders to identify Jewish soldiers, instead declaring, “We are all Jews here.” His actions later led to his recognition by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations, Israel’s highest honor for non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
Through storytelling and reflection, Edmonds invites audiences to consider the meaning of courage, faith, and ethical leadership in their own lives. His message resonates across generations, emphasizing that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary acts when guided by conscience and conviction.
“This program is an important opportunity for our campus and community to engage with history in a deeply human way,” said Dr. Ken Vickers, Professor of History at UT Southern. “Partnering with the Tennessee Holocaust Commission allows us to bring forward a story that is both historically significant and urgently relevant for today’s world.”
The event is co-produced with the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, whose mission is to educate Tennesseans about the Holocaust and its enduring lessons, promote remembrance, and confront hatred and antisemitism through education.
Admission is free and open to the public.